Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held discussions with representatives from the metals industry and planned to engage with the automobile sector afterwards to explore responses to U.S. actions tariffs, Reuters reported.
Analysts say the meetings were held to gather more data to strategise further trade counter-measures beyond the EU’s upcoming response to the US’s previously announced steel duties, which will be voted on later this week. An additional call with European pharmaceutical companies is scheduled for Tuesday.
Asian equity markets fell sharply, European stocks plunged to a 16-month low, and oil prices dropped significantly on Monday. Investors are concerned that the tariffs announced by Trump last week may result in increased prices, decreased demand, and possibly trigger a global recession.
Why is Von der Leyen consulting multiple sectors now?
Von der Leyen’s invitation letter stated that the European Union would later this year propose
“a trade measure replacing the steel safeguards as of 1 July 2026, providing a highly effective level of protection against negative trade-related effects caused by global overcapacities”.
“The views from the sector will be key in further elaborating our common response to the U.S. tariffs,”
She also said.
The European auto industry call was set for 3:30 p.m. (1330 GMT), as noted by ACEA, the Brussels-based industry group.
A representative from ACEA mentioned that the EU Commission aims to
“collect [industry] insights regarding the potential effects of U.S. tariffs on the EU automotive industry and to examine suggestions for the most efficient EU response.”
The group has requested a negotiated solution, the spokesperson added.
The call was organized to feature lobby groups along with the CEOs and chairs from BMW, Volkswagen, Stellantis, Scania, Daimler Truck, and Bosch. Towards the end of last week, the European Commission extended an invitation to the chief executives of major pharmaceutical companies based in the EU for a gathering.
The source mentioned that the Commission might have subsequently invited Swiss-based companies like Novartis and Roche.
Both EFPIA, representing European big pharma, and Europabio, the European biotech lobby, confirmed the attendance of their directors general. A participant’s invitation letter indicated that the meeting is set for 10:30 a.m. (0830 GMT) on Tuesday.
